Abstract
There have been few systematic attempts to understand self-perceptions among individuals labeled antisocial or psychopathic and even less research directed toward women classified in this category. The Adjective Check List [ACL; Gough, H. G., & Heilbrun, A. B. (1980)] was used to generate self-descriptions among 54 men and 25 women judged to be antisocial personality disorder by DMS-III criteria and MMPI decision rules. Responses were tabulated for each of the 300 adjectives and rank ordered by percentage endorsements to identify the most and least frequently checked items for women and men. Results showed positive self-appraisals among both antisocial women and antisocial men who shared tendencies to describe themselves as adaptable, capable, friendly, considerate, dependable, cooperative, and healthy. Women, however, were more negative than men in describing themselves, particularly in endorsing adjectives suggesting confidence, worry, and confusion.
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Sutker, P.B., DeSanto, N.A. & Allain, A.N. Adjective self-descriptions in antisocial men and women. J Psychopathol Behav Assess 7, 175–181 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00961082
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00961082